Lyft aligns with Mobileye to bring large scale fleets of autonomous vehicles to rideshare services
Rideshare network Lyft has enlisted the help of self-driving and ADAS technology provider Mobileye to establish the widespread commercialization of autonomous vehicles to large fleet operators.
Lyft ($LYFT) remains a household name in rideshare services alongside that other company that starts with a “U.” Both competitors appear to be embracing electrification, but Lyft especially has vowed to go 100% electric by 2030.
To do so, the company has established several partnerships to incentivize and empower its network of drivers to adopt a BEV for their work. Alternatively, Lyft has solidified alliances with several other tech companies and OEMs to implement autonomous vehicles, including Hyundai.
Speaking of autonomous vehicles, Mobileye ($MBLY) is an ADAS specialist based in Israel with 25 years of experience in the segment. The company was wholly acquired by Intel in 2017 before beginning to develop autonomous robotaxis with Volkswagen Group.
Since then, automakers like Porsche have turned to Mobileye for its advanced driving technology. More recently, Polestar partnered with the tech company to help enable hands-free, eyes-off (Level 3 autonomous driving) in its upcoming 4 SUV.
Today, Mobileye announced a new alliance with Lyft to combine its autonomous driving technology with the latter’s fleet operators that contribute to its network of 40 million annual riders.
Lyft and Mobileye to deploy autonomous rideshare fleets
Mobileye shared details of its collaboration with Lyft today. In this collaboration, Mobileye intends to provide its proprietary autonomous vehicle (AV) technology to an ecosystem of purpose-built vehicle manufacturers, which will then become available for purchase by vehicle fleet operators and transportation service providers.
These “Mobileye Drive-based” autonomous fleets will help Lyft achieve its goal of bringing more robotaxi rides to cities in North America. They will also support operators who want to deploy and manage large-scale fleets in those metropolitan areas. As a result, those fleet operators will gain the opportunity to purchase Mobileye Drive-equipped, “Lyft-ready” vehicles from various OEMs building AV-ready EVs, like the Hyundai IONIQ 5, for example. Per Lyft CEO David Risher:
Mobileye’s full-stack technology is an important part of getting autonomous fleets Lyft-ready. As we make more AVs available to our 40 million annual riders, we’re laser-focused on building a platform where fleet owners will be proud to put their assets to work. We welcome Mobileye as an important strategic partner on the road to an autonomous future.
In addition to Mobileye Drive-equipped vehicles, Lyft intends to utilize the ADAS specialist’s new cloud-based AV demand technology, connecting those vehicles with AV fleet operators.
Through Mobileye’s turnkey autonomous vehicle ecosystem and Lyft’s current suite of AV Partner APIs, participating fleets are expected to be monetized while offering riders using the app a faster and broader availability of travel options. Mobileye president and CEO Prof. Amnon Shashua also spoke:
Cooperating with leading mobility providers and operators are essential steps to bring autonomous mobility services to reality. Enabling Mobileye Drive with Lyft’s network of 40 million annual riders in North America would allow our AV customers to reach new markets and geographies with autonomous services and provide the benefits of the technology through a sustainable business.
There are yet to be timelines on when or where we will see these Mobileye-equipped autonomous vehicles deployed by Lyft and its fleet operators, nor do we know what makes or models will see the technology first. This will be a story we will keep a (mobile) eye on and report back as we learn more,
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The Mockingbird Solar Center, Ørsted’s largest solar project globally, is now online, next to protected prairie donated by the renewable energy giant.
This massive 468-megawatt (MW) solar farm is set to power 80,000 homes and businesses, providing a major boost to the Texas grid.
But the launch of Mockingbird Solar isn’t just about clean energy – it’s also about restoring precious ecosystems. Ørsted has donated 953 acres of the Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland, which sits next to the solar center, to The Nature Conservancy. The donated land is now the Smiley Meadow Preserve, a protected area for tallgrass prairie that’s home to more than 400 species of grasses and wildflowers.
Tallgrass prairies are some of the rarest ecosystems in the US, with less than 1% of Texas’ original tallgrass prairies still in existence. Tallgrass prairie does a lot of heavy lifting for the environment, including storing carbon, preventing floods, and providing crucial habitats for pollinators.
“Native prairies are the rarest landscapes left in Texas – so much so that many people have never seen one,” said David Bezanson, land protection strategy program director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas. He added that preserving Smiley Meadow will not only conserve one of the best prairie remnants left but also help restore other prairie habitats and boost regional biodiversity.
The Mockingbird Solar Center, a half-billion-dollar project, is part of Ørsted’s $20 billion push to expand renewable energy production across the US. Beyond generating electricity, it will inject $75 million into local property taxes, benefiting schools and other public services. The project also created over 550 construction jobs and will continue to be supported by operations staff moving forward.
Ørsted worked with US companies, including First Solar, for solar panels and partnered with local businesses like Drake Construction and Pfifer Farms for construction materials. It also gave more than $50,000 to local volunteer fire departments in Roxton and Brookston.
With Mockingbird Solar now up and running, Ørsted has more than 6 gigawatts of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage projects either in operation or being built across the US.
Read more: Ørsted got a huge Tesla battery storage system for the world’s single-largest offshore wind farm
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Jeep’s first global luxury electric SUV will arrive at US dealerships any day. Despite its $72,000 price tag, lease prices for the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV start at just $599 per month.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV lease prices
After unveiling its first global electric SUV, Jeep’s CEO said the Wagoneer S “marks a new chapter” in its storied history.
Jeep claims the Wagoneer S packs “exhilarating performance.” With 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque, the big-body SUV can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Its 100 kWh battery pack also gives it a driving range of over 300 miles.
The electric SUV is unmistakably still a Jeep, but it did get several upgrades to distinguish it as an EV. The grille is now enclosed without the need to cool a massive engine, giving it a sporty, more modern look.
Jeep revamped its design with a new illuminated seven-slot grille with ambient cast lightning. It also fine-tuned its profile, adding flush door handles, a rear wing, and integrated fins for better airflow.
The first Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition models get exclusive dark accent design elements like 20″ Gloss Black Wheels.
Inside, the electric SUV is loaded with the latest tech and connectivity, including a best-in-class 45″ of usable screen space. The setup includes a 12.3″ center screen and an exclusive 10.25″ interactive front passenger screen.
Jeep already announced that the 2024 Wagoneer S EV will start at $71,995, but now the company has revealed lease prices for the first time.
According to Jeep, the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition can be leased for $599 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year). The deal includes $4,999 due at signing and a $7,500 EV incentive. However, you may want to act fast, as Jeep’s offer is only good until December 2, 2024.
| Jeep Wagoneer S vs Tesla Model Y | Starting Price | Range | Lease Price |
| Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition | $71,995 | +300 miles | $599/mo |
| Tesla Model Y RWD | $44,990 | 320 miles | $299/mo |
| Tesla Model Y AWD | $47,990 | 308 miles | $399/mo |
| Tesla Model Y AWD Performance | $51,490 | 279 miles | $599/mo |
In comparison, Tesla Model Y RWD lease prices start at $299 for 36 months with $2,999 down (10,000 miles). The Performance AWD model starts at $599 per month. In an end-of-year promo, Tesla also offers 3 months of free Supercharging and Full Self-Driving.
Ready to drive off in your new electric SUV? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to view offers on the Jeep Wagoneer S and Tesla Model Y at a dealer near you.
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